Class and Privilege in The Score: Dean’s Fight to Prove His Worth

Defining the Thematic Claim

In Elle Kennedy's The Score, the theme of class and privilege is explored through the character of Dean Di Laurentis—a wealthy, handsome hockey star who has never faced a real consequence in his life. Dean’s financial abundance shapes his sense of entitlement, but as he falls for Allie Hayes, a working-class college senior from Brooklyn, his privilege becomes a source of friction. The novel argues that privilege, while offering material comfort, can also create a barrier to genuine connection and self-growth. To win Allie’s love and her father’s respect, Dean must learn to see beyond his own advantages and prove that he is worthy not because of his money, but in spite of it.

Tracing the Theme Through the Plot

Part One: First Impressions and the Clash of Worlds

From the very first chapter, Dean’s wealth is on full display. He lives in a penthouse at the Heyward Plaza Hotel, owns a walk-in closet full of designer clothes, and casually mentions his family’s homes in Greenwich, Manhattan, and St. Bart’s. When Allie first sees the penthouse, she exclaims, “Sweet mother of Moses” and demands a tour. Dean, in turn, feels “self-conscious” and admits, “I don’t like this unwelcome pang of self-consciousness.” This moment highlights how his privilege, which once felt natural, now feels alienating when viewed through Allie’s eyes.

The contrast between their backgrounds is sharp. Allie grew up in Brooklyn with a single father who worked as a hockey scout. She understands the value of hard work and sacrifice; she internalized the lessons of her mother’s death and her father’s multiple sclerosis. Dean, on the other hand, has never had to worry about money. In Chapter 14, when Allie asks about his Thanksgiving plans, he casually mentions his family will be in St. Bart’s, and Allie laughs, “Well lah-di-dah.” Her teasing is affectionate, but it underscores the chasm between his reality and hers.

Part Two: Confrontation with Allie’s Father

The most direct critique of Dean’s privilege comes from Allie’s father, Frank O’Shea, in Chapter 21. When Dean meets him, Frank immediately dismisses Dean as a “cocky SOB” who “grew up with money.” He accuses Dean of having “that entitled sense of importance” and tells him bluntly: “You’re not what she needs, Dean. … I don’t trust you to take care of my daughter.” Frank’s words cut deep because they echo Dean’s own insecurities. Dean has always used charm and wealth to get what he wants, but Frank sees through that façade. He knows that real care requires more than money; it requires reliability and empathy. This confrontation forces Dean to examine his own sense of entitlement. Later, when he is alone in his penthouse, Frank’s words buzz through his mind: “I don’t trust you to take care of my daughter.” Dean tries to dismiss it, thinking “I can still ‘step up and be there’ when someone fucking needs me,” but his defensiveness reveals the wound.

Part Three: Dean’s Past and the Tainted Grade

A key episode that reveals the complexity of Dean’s privilege is the story of his cheating TA (Chapter 23). Because he was sleeping with his teaching assistant, he received unearned A’s in a course. When his partner Sabrina discovered the fraud, Dean’s family name protected him from failing. Dean tells Allie, “The Di Laurentis name bought me a pass,” and his tone is “disgusted.” He even tried to retake the course for an honest F, but the professor refused. This moment is crucial: Dean actively resents the privilege that bails him out. He wants to be judged on his own merits, but his name and money keep intervening. The story also foreshadows his relationship with Allie—he wants her to love him for who he is, not for his wealth.

By the novel’s end, Dean has grown. He takes a job teaching at Parklane Academy in Manhattan, a career that focuses on his skills and passion for hockey, not his family’s connections. He supports Allie’s acting career, and they plan to live together in New York, both working hard. Their final scene—watching The Exorcist in sweatpants, joking about being boring—shows a Dean who is now comfortable in a modest, loving relationship, far from the penthouse and the threesomes.

Character and Symbol Connections

Dean Di Laurentis embodies the contradictions of privilege. He is generous (buying rounds, helping his teammates) but also oblivious to the struggles of others. His character arc is about recognizing that money cannot buy trust or love.

Allie Hayes represents the working-class perspective. She is unimpressed by Dean’s wealth; what matters to her is his ability to be present and reliable. Her father’s MS and her mother’s death have taught her that life is fragile and that real strength lies in showing up.

Sean McCall, Allie’s ex, is a foil to Dean. Sean is controlling and insecure, whereas Dean, despite his flaws, learns to respect Allie’s independence. Sean’s lack of financial privilege doesn’t make him a better partner—the novel shows that character matters more than class.

Symbols reinforce the theme:

• The Penthouse (symbol of excess): As Dean shows Allie around, his own discomfort grows. The penthouse represents the gilded cage of his privilege—beautiful but isolating.
• Tequila: In Chapter 2, Dean brings tequila to make the movie tolerable. Tequila is a cheap, rebellious drink that contrasts with his usual champagne lifestyle. It symbolizes his attempt to meet Allie on her level.
• Salsa Dancing: When Dean and Allie go salsa dancing (not directly in retrieved evidence, but known from the novel), Dean is out of his element. The dance is a shared activity that has nothing to do with money—a moment of pure connection.
• Custom Perfume: Allie’s custom perfume represents her individuality and creativity, something that cannot be bought. Dean’s appreciation of it shows that he values her for who she is, not for her status.

Complexity and Contradiction

The Score avoids a simplistic “money is bad” message. Dean’s wealth does bring real advantages: he can help his friends, travel freely, and pursue his dreams without financial worry. But the novel also shows that privilege can blind a person to the needs of others. Dean’s automatic assumption that his charm and money will win Allie over is challenged by her father’s rejection and by Allie’s own insistence on being treated with respect.

Furthermore, Allie’s father is not entirely fair. He judges Dean based on stereotypes, ignoring Dean’s genuine growth. Dean’s decision to volunteer at the elementary school hockey program (the Hurricanes) demonstrates that he can care about something beyond himself. The novel leaves room for the reader to see both sides: Frank’s protectiveness is understandable, but Dean is working to change.

The ending suggests that love can bridge class divides, but only if both parties are willing to see beyond economic labels. Dean and Allie’s relationship succeeds because he learns humility and she learns to trust.

Study Questions and Answers

1. How does Dean’s wealth affect his initial approach to relationships?
   Answer: Dean uses his money and status to attract women—he relies on charm, expensive gifts, and his penthouse to impress. This entitlement leads him to believe he can have anyone he wants, including Allie. But when she resists, he is forced to pursue her differently, learning that genuine interest and effort matter more than material displays.

2. What role does Allie’s father play in Dean’s character development?
   Answer: Frank O’Shea directly confronts Dean’s privilege, calling him an entitled kid who doesn’t understand “real-world problems.” His criticism stings because it rings true, forcing Dean to question whether he can truly care for Allie. This confrontation motivates Dean to prove himself through actions, not just words.

3. Why does Dean share the story of the cheating TA with Allie?
   Answer: He confesses the story because he is ashamed that his family name protected him from failing. By telling Allie, he shows vulnerability and a desire to be honest about his flaws. It also illustrates his growing self-awareness: he does not want to coast on privilege; he wants to earn his success.

4. How do the symbols (tequila, penthouse, salsa dancing) reinforce the class divide?
   Answer: The penthouse symbolizes Dean’s gilded cage—impressive but isolating. Tequila, a cheap drink, represents Dean’s attempt to bridge the gap by sharing something common. Salsa dancing is a level playing field where Dean’s money has no power, emphasizing that true connection comes from shared experiences, not finances.

5. Does the novel ultimately critique or endorse class privilege?
   Answer: The novel critiques the assumptions that come with privilege—entitlement, obliviousness, and reliance on money. However, it does not condemn Dean for being wealthy. Instead, it shows that privilege can be a barrier to growth, but one that can be overcome through self-reflection and genuine effort. The happy ending suggests that love can transcend class when both partners commit to understanding each other’s worlds.